Sunday, January 27, 2013
Blogging
For the past few years, blogs have been blowing up. The word “blog” is derived from the word web log. Blogs can be used for many different things: baking ideas, fashion inspiration, quotes, photography, and pretty much any special topic. Some even serve as online diaries. Generally, the most successful blogs are interactive-- allowing for users to leave feedback.
Another, newer, type of blog is the microblog. The microblog is a curation of content from the internet or ones own thoughts. Tumblr is probably the most well known microblog on the web, and has recently become more popular in web searches than the word “blog,” according to a Mashable article published a few weeks ago.
My personal opinion on blogging?
Absolutely Brilliant.
When done right, blogging has the potential to make some pretty great money. I recently watched an old friend from high school gain success over a few short months from her fashion blog. She grew to 2,000 followers within two months and now has over 2500 followers on Instagram as a result of her blog (not to mention, all the free stuff she gets!)
Another-- completely different-- reason that I love blogs, is because it allows people the opportunity to be vulnerable, open and honest. It sounds a bit odd, but there’s really nothing I love more than honest writing. There’s something about writing that makes feelings so much easier to convey. Yes, some blogs are a bit much, but as long as it’s personal therapy for the person forming the sentences on the other end, it’s beautiful.
Blogging is the chance to be as quirky, witty, weird, open, honest, creative and crazy as we want to be. The key is finding your niche and sticking to it.
Readings:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog
http://mashable.com/2013/01/02/google-search-tumblr-blog/
Monday, January 21, 2013
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
When conducting research of any kind, there are two routes to take: qualitative or quantitative; however, it is preferable to complete both types of research.
Qualitative Research
This type of research is done to gain understanding of underlying reasons and motivations of a certain behavior. It is extremely in depth and from it researchers gain a deeper look into the setting of a problem. It is also done to uncover trends in thoughts and opinions of society.
Advantages
View behavior in a naturalistic setting
Increase depth of understanding- the quality of answers are what’s important. Not the quantity.
Flexibility- seeing the same answers over and over again allows for ending of research.
Disadvantages
small sample size sometimes
information may not be generalizable beyond the sample studied
Expensive method of data collection
Data reliability-
completeness of data
selective perception- as humans, we tend to analyze data that fits the favored interpretation and dismiss the information that does not.
reactivity- the act of observing a situation changes the situation itself.
Examples of methods of data collection
intensive interviews
content analysis
observation
When using qualitative research, it is important to establish trustworthiness by using multiple methods of data collection.
Quantitative Research
this type of research is all about the numbers. The goal is to quantify the problem and understand its prevalence by looking for results which can be easily projected. In quantitative research, we can easily project results to a large population since the sample is representative. It is also used to examine specific relationships.
Advantages
fairly cheap and easy
collect large amounts of data
easily generalizable
large sample size (can also be a disadvantage)
Disadvantages
not observed in a natural setting; therefore context of study is ignored
large sample size equals higher chance of inaccurate results
Methods of data collection
surveys
questionnaires
Readings:
http://www.snapsurveys.com/techadvqualquant.shtml
http://www.surveygizmo.com/survey-blog/quantitative-qualitative-research/
When conducting research of any kind, there are two routes to take: qualitative or quantitative; however, it is preferable to complete both types of research.
Qualitative Research
This type of research is done to gain understanding of underlying reasons and motivations of a certain behavior. It is extremely in depth and from it researchers gain a deeper look into the setting of a problem. It is also done to uncover trends in thoughts and opinions of society.
Advantages
View behavior in a naturalistic setting
Increase depth of understanding- the quality of answers are what’s important. Not the quantity.
Flexibility- seeing the same answers over and over again allows for ending of research.
Disadvantages
small sample size sometimes
information may not be generalizable beyond the sample studied
Expensive method of data collection
Data reliability-
completeness of data
selective perception- as humans, we tend to analyze data that fits the favored interpretation and dismiss the information that does not.
reactivity- the act of observing a situation changes the situation itself.
Examples of methods of data collection
intensive interviews
content analysis
observation
When using qualitative research, it is important to establish trustworthiness by using multiple methods of data collection.
Quantitative Research
this type of research is all about the numbers. The goal is to quantify the problem and understand its prevalence by looking for results which can be easily projected. In quantitative research, we can easily project results to a large population since the sample is representative. It is also used to examine specific relationships.
Advantages
fairly cheap and easy
collect large amounts of data
easily generalizable
large sample size (can also be a disadvantage)
Disadvantages
not observed in a natural setting; therefore context of study is ignored
large sample size equals higher chance of inaccurate results
Methods of data collection
surveys
questionnaires
Readings:
http://www.snapsurveys.com/techadvqualquant.shtml
http://www.surveygizmo.com/survey-blog/quantitative-qualitative-research/
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Why use SWOT?
What is a SWOT Analysis?
If you’ve ever taken any type of business or marketing 101 class, you’ve probably heard the acronym SWOT. This strategy is used mainly in business and marketing but can be used for many different things. So, what is exactly does SWOT mean?
Strengths- What are my business’ or brand’s strengths?
What can we build on and maintain as leverage?
Weaknesses- What are my business’ or brand’s weaknesses?
What do we need to change or stop?
Opportunities- What opportunities do we have?
What can we use and build on for the future?
Threats- What are we lacking that other businesses or brands aren’t?
Why is it a threat? What can we do?
The SWOT Analysis template is generally comprised as a grid with each section- S,W,O and T, as well as internal and external origin labels. Each section fits together like a puzzle, and the pieces begin to form as the SWOT Analysis is created.
Corporatebusinessplan.com defines a SWOT Analysis as a “perspective of one thing, be it a company, a product, a proposition, an idea, a method, an option, etc.”
SWOT for personal use
Typically SWOT Analyses are used to analyze a business or brand, but it can also be used for personal reasons. Think personal finance planning or career planning- a SWOT Analysis can be a great tool for weighing out the pros vs. the cons. Family planning is a huge step in life, and it seems strange to use a business model to plan a family, but it’s extremely useful and can help individuals weigh out these huge life decisions. When trying to decide between a job in your hometown or a job across the country where the cost of living is twice the price-- a SWOT Analysis can come in handy.
More examples of what a SWOT Analysis can assess-
a product or brand
a business idea
a potential partnership
changing suppliers
investments
personal finance planning
personal career development
life changes
family planning
many more...
The next time you’re making a huge life decision- think of the SWOT Analysis and truly weigh out the options in more depth than simply pros v. cons.
reading sources- http://corporatebusinessplan.com/swot-analysis/the-uses-of-swot-are-there-101-uses-for-swot/
http://www.businessballs.com/swotanalysisfreetemplate.htm
If you’ve ever taken any type of business or marketing 101 class, you’ve probably heard the acronym SWOT. This strategy is used mainly in business and marketing but can be used for many different things. So, what is exactly does SWOT mean?
Strengths- What are my business’ or brand’s strengths?
What can we build on and maintain as leverage?
Weaknesses- What are my business’ or brand’s weaknesses?
What do we need to change or stop?
Opportunities- What opportunities do we have?
What can we use and build on for the future?
Threats- What are we lacking that other businesses or brands aren’t?
Why is it a threat? What can we do?
The SWOT Analysis template is generally comprised as a grid with each section- S,W,O and T, as well as internal and external origin labels. Each section fits together like a puzzle, and the pieces begin to form as the SWOT Analysis is created.
Corporatebusinessplan.com defines a SWOT Analysis as a “perspective of one thing, be it a company, a product, a proposition, an idea, a method, an option, etc.”
SWOT for personal use
Typically SWOT Analyses are used to analyze a business or brand, but it can also be used for personal reasons. Think personal finance planning or career planning- a SWOT Analysis can be a great tool for weighing out the pros vs. the cons. Family planning is a huge step in life, and it seems strange to use a business model to plan a family, but it’s extremely useful and can help individuals weigh out these huge life decisions. When trying to decide between a job in your hometown or a job across the country where the cost of living is twice the price-- a SWOT Analysis can come in handy.
More examples of what a SWOT Analysis can assess-
a product or brand
a business idea
a potential partnership
changing suppliers
investments
personal finance planning
personal career development
life changes
family planning
many more...
The next time you’re making a huge life decision- think of the SWOT Analysis and truly weigh out the options in more depth than simply pros v. cons.
reading sources- http://corporatebusinessplan.com/swot-analysis/the-uses-of-swot-are-there-101-uses-for-swot/
http://www.businessballs.com/swotanalysisfreetemplate.htm
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